49ers coach Jim Harbaugh during the first half of the San Francisco 49ers game against the Arizona Cardinals at Candlestick Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Sunday December 30, 2012.

Photo: John Storey, Special To The Chronicle

49ers coach Jim Harbaugh during the first half of the San Francisco...

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The San Francsico 49ers vs. the Arizona Cardinals at Candlestick Park in San Francisco on Sunday, November 30th, 2012.

Photo: John Storey, Special To The Chronicle

The San Francsico 49ers vs. the Arizona Cardinals at Candlestick...

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Quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) celebrates with Wide receiver Michael Crabtree (15) and Offensive tackle Joe Staley (74) after a Crabtree touchdown in the third quarter of the San Francisco 49ers game against the Arizona Cardinals at Candlestick Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Sunday December 30, 2012.

Photo: Carlos Avila Gonzalez, The Chronicle

Quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) celebrates with Wide receiver...

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San Francisco 49ers Running back Frank Gore (21) scores a touchdown during the fourth quarter of the San Francisco 49ers game against the Arizona Cardinals at Candlestick Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Sunday December 30, 2012.

Fans head to their seats before the San Francisco 49ers game against the Arizona Cardinals at Candlestick Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Sunday December 30, 2012.

Photo: Carlos Avila Gonzalez, The Chronicle

Fans head to their seats before the San Francisco 49ers game...

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Ahmed Almalik, of San Francisco, displays pieces of 49ers jewelries in the parking lot outside Candlestick Park prior to a NFL football game between the San Francisco 49ers and Arizona Cardinals in San Francisco, Calif., on Sunday December 30, 2012.

Photo: Stephen Lam, Special To The Chronicle

Ahmed Almalik, of San Francisco, displays pieces of 49ers jewelries...

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Candlestick Park is seen reflected from a puddle of water as fans gather to tailgate prior the San Francisco 49ers game against the Arizona Cardinals at Candlestick Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Sunday December 30, 2012.

Photo: Stephen Lam, Special To The Chronicle

Candlestick Park is seen reflected from a puddle of water as fans...

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Alex Smith hands the ball off to LaMichael James in the fourth quarter. Smith came in to the game for the final two 49ers drives. The San Francisco 49ers played the Arizona Cardinals at Candlestick Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Sunday, December 30, 2012, in the final game of the 2012 season.

Photo: Carlos Avila Gonzalez, The Chronicle

Alex Smith hands the ball off to LaMichael James in the fourth...

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the San Francisco 49ers game against the Arizona Cardinals at Candlestick Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Sunday December 30, 2012.

Photo: Carlos Avila Gonzalez, The Chronicle

the San Francisco 49ers game against the Arizona Cardinals at...

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San Francisco 49ers kicker David Akers (2) is being consoled by tight end Garrett Celek (81) after missing a second field goal missing a field goal during the first half of his NFL football game against Arizona Cardinals at Candlestick Park in San Francisco, Calif. on Sunday, December 30, 2012.

Photo: Stephen Lam, Special To The Chronicle

San Francisco 49ers kicker David Akers (2) is being consoled by...

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San Francisco 49ers Defensive tackle Isaac Sopoaga (90) throws his show into the stands following the San Francisco 49ers win over the Arizona Cardinals at Candlestick Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Sunday December 30, 2012.

Photo: Carlos Avila Gonzalez, The Chronicle

San Francisco 49ers Defensive tackle Isaac Sopoaga (90) throws his...

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San Francisco 49ers dressed like Wide receiver Michael Crabtree fans celebrate the Niners win in the stands following the San Francisco 49ers game against the Arizona Cardinals at Candlestick Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Sunday December 30, 2012.

Photo: Stephen Lam, Special To The Chronicle

San Francisco 49ers dressed like Wide receiver Michael Crabtree...

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San Francisco 49ers Quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) in the fourth quarter of the San Francisco 49ers game against the Arizona Cardinals at Candlestick Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Sunday December 30, 2012.

Photo: Carlos Avila Gonzalez, The Chronicle

San Francisco 49ers Quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) in the fourth...

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San Francisco 49ers Running back Frank Gore (21) celebrates after scoring a touchdown in the fourth quarter of the San Francisco 49ers game against the Arizona Cardinals at Candlestick Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Sunday December 30, 2012.

Photo: Carlos Avila Gonzalez, The Chronicle

San Francisco 49ers Running back Frank Gore (21) celebrates after...

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Frank Gore hugs Denise Debartolo York in the final minutes of the game against the Arizona Cardinals. The San Francisco 49ers played the Arizona Cardinals at Candlestick Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Sunday, December 30, 2012, in the final game of the 2012 season.

Photo: Carlos Avila Gonzalez, The Chronicle

Frank Gore hugs Denise Debartolo York in the final minutes of the...

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Colin Kaepernick comes off the field after the game ended. The San Francisco 49ers played the Arizona Cardinals at Candlestick Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Sunday, December 30, 2012, in the final game of the 2012 season.

Photo: Carlos Avila Gonzalez, The Chronicle

Colin Kaepernick comes off the field after the game ended. The San...

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San Francisco 49ers quarterback Alex Smith (11) waves to the fans as he leaves the field after the team's 27-13 victory over the visiting Arizona Cardinals at Candlestick Park in San Francisco, Calif. on Sunday, December 30, 2012.

Photo: Stephen Lam, Special To The Chronicle

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Alex Smith (11) waves to the fans...

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San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Michael Crabtree (15) is surrounded by members of the media after the team's 27-13 victory over the visiting Arizona Cardinals at Candlestick Park in San Francisco, Calif. on Sunday, December 30, 2012.

Photo: Stephen Lam, Special To The Chronicle

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Michael Crabtree (15) is...

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A cheerleader with the San Francisco 49ers Gold Rush dances during a NFL football game between the San Francisco 49ers and Arizona Cardinals at Candlestick Park in San Francisco, Calif. on Sunday, December 30, 2012.

Photo: Stephen Lam, Special To The Chronicle

A cheerleader with the San Francisco 49ers Gold Rush dances during...

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49er fans watch the Minnesota Vikings beat the Green Bay Packers on TV after the 49ers beat the Cardinals 27-13 at Candlestick Park in San Francisco on Sunday, November 30th, 2012.

Wide receiver Michael Crabtree (15) catches a touchdown pass from Quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) during the second quarter of the San Francisco 49ers game against the Arizona Cardinals at Candlestick Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Sunday December 30, 2012.

Photo: Carlos Avila Gonzalez, The Chronicle

Wide receiver Michael Crabtree (15) catches a touchdown pass from...

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San Francisco 49ers Quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) during the second half of the San Francisco 49ers game against the Arizona Cardinals at Candlestick Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Sunday December 30, 2012.

Photo: John Storey, Special To The Chronicle

San Francisco 49ers Quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) during the...

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San Francisco 49ers Wide receiver Michael Crabtree (15) during the second half of the San Francisco 49ers game against the Arizona Cardinals at Candlestick Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Sunday December 30, 2012.

Photo: John Storey, Special To The Chronicle

San Francisco 49ers Wide receiver Michael Crabtree (15) during the...

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Running back Frank Gore (21) runs through tackle by Arizona Cardinals safety Adrian Wilson (24) during the second half of the San Francisco 49ers game against the Arizona Cardinals at Candlestick Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Sunday December 30, 2012.

Photo: John Storey, Special To The Chronicle

Running back Frank Gore (21) runs through tackle by Arizona...

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49ers Wide receiver Michael Crabtree (15) celebrates with Wide receiver Ted Ginn Jr. (19) following his third touchdown of the game against the Arizona Cardinals at Candlestick Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Sunday December 30, 2012.

Photo: Carlos Avila Gonzalez, The Chronicle

49ers Wide receiver Michael Crabtree (15) celebrates with Wide...

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Wide receiver Michael Crabtree (15) celebrates by throwing the ball into the stands after a touchdown in the third quarter of the San Francisco 49ers game against the Arizona Cardinals at Candlestick Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Sunday December 30, 2012.

Wide receiver Michael Crabtree (15) catches a touchdown pass from Quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) during the second quarter of the San Francisco 49ers game against the Arizona Cardinals at Candlestick Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Sunday December 30, 2012.

Photo: Carlos Avila Gonzalez, The Chronicle

Wide receiver Michael Crabtree (15) catches a touchdown pass from...

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Running back Anthony Dixon (24) during the third quarter of the San Francisco 49ers game against the Arizona Cardinals at Candlestick Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Sunday December 30, 2012.

Photo: Carlos Avila Gonzalez, The Chronicle

Running back Anthony Dixon (24) during the third quarter of the San...

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Wide receiver Michael Crabtree (15) celebrates after a long catch downfield int he second quarter of the San Francisco 49ers game against the Arizona Cardinals at Candlestick Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Sunday December 30, 2012.

Photo: Carlos Avila Gonzalez, The Chronicle

Wide receiver Michael Crabtree (15) celebrates after a long catch...

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49ers Running back LaMichael James (23) is brought down by Arizona Cardinals safety Kerry Rhodes (25) and defensive end Calais Campbell (93) during the first half of the San Francisco 49ers game against the Arizona Cardinals at Candlestick Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Sunday December 30, 2012.

Photo: John Storey, Special To The Chronicle

49ers Running back LaMichael James (23) is brought down by Arizona...

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Kicker David Akers (2) after he misses his second field goal attempt during the second quarter of the San Francisco 49ers game against the Arizona Cardinals at Candlestick Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Sunday December 30, 2012.

Photo: John Storey, Special To The Chronicle

Kicker David Akers (2) after he misses his second field goal...

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Offensive tackle Joe Staley (74) blocks for Running back LaMichael James (23) during the first half of the San Francisco 49ers game against the Arizona Cardinals at Candlestick Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Sunday December 30, 2012.

Photo: John Storey, Special To The Chronicle

Offensive tackle Joe Staley (74) blocks for Running back LaMichael...

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San Francisco 49ers fans celebrate during the fourth quarter of the San Francisco 49ers game against the Arizona Cardinals at Candlestick Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Sunday December 30, 2012.

Photo: John Storey, Special To The Chronicle

San Francisco 49ers fans celebrate during the fourth quarter of the...

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San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Michael Crabtree (15) scores on a 49-yard touchdown reception against the Arizona Cardinals during the second quarter of an NFL football game in San Francisco, Sunday, Dec. 30, 2012. (AP Photo/San Francisco Chronicle, Carlos Avila Gonzalez) MANDATORY CREDIT; MAGAZINES OUT; TV OUT

Worry, like rust, never sleeps. Even though the 49ers came out of their slump/funk/hibernation Sunday with a 27-13 win over the Cardinals, the 49ers and their fans have no shortage of legitimate and illegitimate concerns to kick (key word) around for the next two weeks.

I made a list (and checked it twice). It includes:

Kicking: This will not be a worry if the 49ers blow out every playoff foe. But in a close game? Whoa, Nellie!

David Akers is not himself. Who is he? Nobody knows. He ducked the media after Sunday's game, after pushing field-goal attempts of 40 and 44 yards left.

Right now, Akers is not a reliable NFL kicker. Is his problem something mechanical?

"Ahh, not that I know of," head coach Jim Harbaugh said. "No, I can't exactly say what's going on. ... We'll evaluate the position. ... It's his job to make the field goals."

That's as close as Harbaugh has come to publicly criticizing one of his players.

D-fense is D-ficient: The Cardinals, led by a quarterback they found wandering around their hotel lobby, took the ball on their 13-yard line late in the first quarter and marched to a field goal that gave them a 6-0 lead.

Yes, the 49ers' defense eventually came to life, but this was the Cardinals!

The 49ers' offense is no touchdown factory. In two weeks, the defense will need to be stiffer than the cocktail you're mixing for your date at the New Year's party. Can the 49ers rise to the occasion?

As the 49ers' defense skulked off the field after that second Arizona field goal, the Candlestick D.J. played the Who's "Who Are You?"

Who are they? Who-who, who-who? Are they the defense that was the scourge of the league earlier this year, or a unit with more soft spots than Santa's heart?

Justin, a.k.a. Cowboy, says he'll be back in two weeks, even though he has a partially torn triceps muscle and an elbow bone spur. Hey, Ronnie Lott had his finger amputated so he could play, maybe Smith will give up his left arm. (He's right-handed.)

Colin Kaepernick: Can Kaepernick handle the pressure of the playoffs, especially on the road where the crowd noise is overwhelming?

This is actually a dumb question. Kaepernick has earned the confidence of his coaches and teammates. He looks inexperienced at times, but doesn't lack poise or presence or big-play potential.

As for noise, he won in the New Orleans Superdome.

Still, many Alex lovers and Kaepernick haters continue to predict Kaepernick's comeuppance, so I'm throwing in this item as a sop to those silly folks. Enjoy!

Vernon Davis: In his role as team cheerleader, Davis was praising Michael Crabtree's hands. Great hands. I asked Davis, "How are your hands?"

"I haven't seen many balls lately," Davis said, chuckling. "They're still good, I work with 'em in practice."

On Sunday, Davis was targeted twice and caught one pass for 5 yards. Another fellow who plays tight end, Delanie Walker, caught two passes for 50 yards.

The mystery continues. Why no Davis? I asked him, Will we see more of you in the playoffs?

"Ah, well, I don't know, that's up to them," Davis said, still smiling. "In practice, I get a lot of balls thrown my way. But come game time, the different coverages that I see are not what we see on film. And the guys don't play our tight ends the same as they play other tight ends. It's difficult."

Kick returns: LaMichael James, who saved the game in New England with his kickoff runback, remains a threat. But overall, the 49ers' kick-return game strikes fear in their fans' hearts.

The 49ers started their first possession Sunday on the 1-yard line and their second on the 12.

Punt returns are an adventure, and not in a fun way. Nobody forgets how last season ended.

Misc.: Can Greg Roman find his groove? (Sunday's first three possessions were three-and-out.). ... Will Alex Smith, like the beauty contest runner-up, be ready to take the job if needed? ... Will the 49ers find a way to pressure the opposing quarterback? ...